Small Animal Imaging Labs Platform

McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec
What the facility does

A comprehensive technology suite for non-invasive imaging of animal models to create holistic pictures of diseases.

Areas of expertise

The Small Animal Imaging Labs (SAIL) Platform is a world-class centre designed to support the research activities of biomedical investigators.  SAIL provides a comprehensive suite of imaging modalities, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Computed Tomography (CT), optical imaging (bioluminescence/fluorescence), and autoradiography. Dedicated housing is available for mice and rats undergoing longitudinal imaging studies. Ancillary facilities and resources of the SAIL are devoted to image processing and analysis, animal surgery, and radiochemistry. We provide expertise in planning in vivo imaging studies, consultation and training.

Research services

Magnetic resonance imaging, including  high-resolution structural, functional and molecular in vivo and ex vivo imaging, spectroscopy MRS, nuclear medicine imaging, including multimodality scanning; optical imaging, including high-sensitivity optical molecular imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence), and co-registration with digital X-rays; autoradiography; radiochemistry; quantitative assessment of gait parameters; and a surgical suite, project design, extended assistance, dedicated housing, consultation and training 

Sectors of application
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
EquipmentFunction
Bruker 7T MRIHigh-resolution imaging of structural, functional, and molecular in vivo and ex vivo.
Bruker In-Vivo ExtremeHigh-sensitivity optical molecular imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence) along with digital X-rays.
Mediso nanoScan SPECT/CT/PETTri-modality SPECT/CT/PET scanner allows for functional and molecular imaging using radiotracers.
Biospace Lab BetaIMAGER ™Rapid, high-resolution, quantitative autoradiography. With ultra-low energy β-emitting tritium for great resolution.
GE Typhoon FLA 9500Robust and versatile laser scanner for autoradiography studies (using storage phosphor screens).
Noldus CatWalk XTA comprehensive free-walking gait analysis system for quantitative assessment of up to 35 gait parameters.
Leica CM1950 cryostatWell-suited for generation of high- quality frozen tissue sections.
  • McGill University
  • Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM)
  • University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)
  • Biospective Inc.